Yayoi Kusama Wants to Get Personal

The person who stands to benefit most from The Whitney Museum of American Art’s retrospective on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is the artist herself. Kusama, 83, owns roughly half the 345 pieces on display.

Historically, collectors tend to be the beneficiaries of a retrospective, buying, trading and loaning relevant works in their possession. This time around Kusama – because she owns so many of her marquis pieces – will boost her reputation and elevate the price of her proprietary works.

Her first retrospective in New York in 15 years, the show has traveled to London, Madrid and Paris over the last year. Opening Thursday, the exhibition will run though Sept. 30 at the Whitney, its final destination.

Drawing largely from her private archives and the Matsumoto City Art Museum, the local museum in her home city that stores and conserves some of her works, Kusama is personally invested in this exhibition – and putting herself out there.

“I continue to struggle,” said Kusama, outfitted in a dress of her own design. Sitting in the Louis Vuitton flagship Tuesday Kusama spoke to the Journal through a translator.

With ownership comes increased control, but also additional responsibility.